2017 Ducati 1299 Panigale S

Chassis

• ÖHLINS SMART EC SEMI-ACTIVE SUSPENSION: The 1299 Panigale S features the world-exclusive Ohlins Smart EC semi-active suspension system. Consisting of an NIX-30 front fork, a TTX rear shock, and a steering damper, this system interfaces with the Bosch Inertial Platform and dynamically responds to changing road and riding conditions, allowing the best possible suspension performance and total motorcycle control. It operates in one of two modes: Fixed, which is non-active and allows the rider to set specific levels of front and rear compression and rebound, along with steering damper tension. These levels are maintained constant until the rider changes them again, exactly as a traditionally adjusted suspension system. Alternately, there is the Event Based mode, which is semi-active and allows the rider to select levels of suspension "behavior" ranging from Hard to Soft. In this mode, the system then dynamically adjusts compression, rebound, and damper tension in response to ride conditions, maintaining the overall "behavior" previously selected by the rider.
• MONOCOQUE TECHNOLOGY: The Panigale S's Monoscocca chassis forms its structural backbone - compact, rigid, lightweight, and multi-functional. Cast in aluminum, it attaches at its rear directly to the heads of the Superquadro engine and contains the steering head and bearings at its front. In addition to performing the function of a traditional frame, the Monoscocca also serves as the airbox and in this way significantly contributes to lowering the overall weight of the motorcycle. Housed inside it are the air filter, throttle bodies and fuel circuit complete with injectors, making it truly unique and a revolutionary advancement to the world of traditional motorcycle construction.
• TIRES: All Panigales benefit from Pirelli's Diablo Supercorsa SP tires, the road version of the tire used in the Superstock 1000 World Championship: 120/70 ZR17 at front and 200/55 ZR17 at rear, which provide the contact patch necessary to effectively transmit the Superquadro's power to the ground. Designed to maintain a precise line in straights and on curves, the rear 200/55 ZR17 tire maximizes the area of contact and corner speed by combining 200 mm width with a high profile. The tires have structures and compounds deriving directly from Pirelli's experience in the Superbike World Championship, and feature casings specially studied to guarantee rigidity in extreme braking and shoulders that maximize the contact patch. In addition, a special double compound that uses the most advanced polymers facilitates the rapid heating of the tires together with a constant grip.
• FORGED WHEELS: The 1299 Panigale S and Panigale R feature Marchesini tri-W spoke forged aluminium wheels, which have an eye-catching racing style and are strong and incredibly lightweight.
• LACKING NOTHING: With an aggressive design enhanced by full LED headlamps, a front mudguard in carbon fibre, forged Marchesini wheels, Ohlins Smart EC semi-active suspension and steering damper, and auxiliary handlebar control buttons, the 1299 Panigale S is bristling with features and technology that make it the complete package for performance riding.
• ERGONOMICS: The Panigale S's ergonomic dimensions assure a perfect integration between rider and motorcycle. The seat and handlebar positions are optimized to provide total control and comfort during sport and track riding, while the switchgear and dash are further designed to be intuitive, informative, and a pleasure to use. Grippy, machined-from-billet aluminum footpegs and a carefully-shaped seat with racing cover allow the rider to perfectly integrate with the Panigale, and focus only on the extraordinary sensations of the ride.

Engine

• EXTREME BORE / STROKE RATIO: The new Superquadro's bore / stroke ratio of 1.91:1 sets an extreme example of the power-maximizing "oversquare" architecture used in the world's most advanced racing engines. A short-stroke crankshaft and enormous pistons combined with large Desmodromically-actuated valves allow the Superquadro to breathe freely at high rpm, while a 1,285 cc combustion chamber ensures the ample torque that has made so many enthusiasts fall in love with Ducati's signature L-twin power.
• PRECIOUS ELEMENTS: The clutch cover, cylinder head covers, and oil pan are all cast in a golden-color magnesium alloy to ensure the engine's strength with the absolute lowest possible weight.
• LUBRICATION: The journals of the main bearings are lubricated by pressurized oil admitted through ducts inside the engine block. This serves to assure the efficient lubrication of the new crankshaft, followed by a rapid recovery of the oil thanks to a lobe pump that places the connecting rod compartment under vacuum, similar to the engines used in MotoGP. This pump is driven by gears built in a special high-strength techno-polymer and maintains the crankcase area below the pistons in controlled conditions of constant vacuum, thereby reducing resistance during the pistons' downstroke as well as facilitating oil flow for rapid recovery.
• FULLY RIDE-BY-WIRE: The opening and closing of throttle butterflies on the Superquadro is controlled by a fully electronic Ride-by-Wire system. The absence of a mechanical connection between the twistgrip and the throttle bodies allows the engine ECU to regulate power delivery by directly adjusting the throttle; Ride-by-Wire makes it possible to have different power and delivery based on the selected Riding Mode, to alter the level of engine back-torque (EBC), and to control any slipping of the rear wheel (DTC).
• ESSENTIAL DESMO: To control the large valves with the precise and efficient Desmodromic system, engineers chose a mixed gear and chain drive system. This chain drive accurately transmits the motion between crankshaft and camshaft, and thanks also to an automatic tensioning adjustment, offers excellent reliability with low routine maintenance costs.
• CRANKCASE: The crankcases, produced through a vacuum casting technology called Vacural®, ensure high strength at low weight along with a uniform wall thickness, and are designed to incorporate water jackets around the cylinder barrels. The engine uses wet barrels coated in Nicasil, which are inserted into the holes of the engine block's housing during the initial stages of assembly. This design allows the head to be fastened directly onto the crankcase, combining the need for rigidity of the engine's structure with a significant advantage in terms of compactness. Due to their thin structure, the cylinder barrels efficiently transfer heat to the coolant running along their walls. In addition to these barrels, the Superquadro's crankcase stands out for the use of plain main bearings, previously utilized on the Ducati Desmosedici RR engine. These bearings allow the use of large-diameter crankshaft journals, which maximize rigidity and mechanical strength to optimize the internal rotating structure to the extreme power of the Superquadro.
• DECOMPRESSOR: At the end of the exhaust camshaft of each cylinder head is a centrifugal decompressor. On start-up, this device allows the profile of the cam opening lobe to be modified, slightly lifting a valve so that part of the combustion charge can escape the chamber during the engine's compression phase. Once the engine fires, the increase in rpm and associated centrifugal force modify the decompressor, canceling the valve lift effect to bring the engine to normal operating conditions. By temporarily reducing the compression effect of the piston during start-up, a much smaller and lighter starter motor and battery can be used, contributing significantly to the extreme light weight of the overall engine and motorcycle. This ingenious system further underlines the synergistic strength achieved by engineers and designers in the uncompromising creation of the Superquadro.
• HIGH TECH INTAKE: The new Superquadro uses large intake valves fed by advanced oval-section throttle bodies, which emphasize high air flow for maximum power production. Independently controlled by the fully Ride-by-Wire system, the throttle bodies are each fitted with two fuel injectors: the first is set below the body and operates in lower rpm / load conditions, while the second is fitted above the throttle body and is called into action when it's time for the Superquadro to unleash the full scope of its power and torque.
• TRANSMISSION: During development of the first Superquadro engine, Ducati engineers took their design freedom to the limit by increasing the distance between centres of the six-speed gearbox shafts and allowing the use of gears with an increased diameter and superior strength for the transmission of power. The oil bath clutch, similar in design to that used on other Ducati models, is a progressive system which allows the load on its plates to be increased without increasing the effort required by the rider to pull the lever and disengage the clutch. This optimally satisfies the need for a high torque transmission which still provides optimum usability for the rider. In sport riding conditions with abrupt downshifting heavy engine braking, the same mechanism reduces the pressure on clutch plates and allows them to slip as in a racing system, preventing a loss of stability in the rear end and offering excellent modulability during hard braking into corners.

Equipment

• FULL TFT INSTRUMENTAL PANEL: The instrument panel on the 1299 Panigale uses a full TFT display. The color display's configuration is variable and automatically adapts to variations in environmental light and to the selected Riding Mode. In the "Road" and "Wet" Riding Modes, speed takes center stage and is displayed in large numbers in the middle of the display, whereas the two boxes containing "supplementary information" underneath provide data on total mileage and engine coolant temperature. In the "Race" Riding Mode, the display layout is automatically reconfigured, shifting the display of the vehicle's speed in the lower information box at left and making room for the last lap time, centrally displayed in large numbers. For the first time on a Ducati motorcycle, the display features a "lean angle visualization," allowing the rider to see their achieved lean angle displayed on the dash in real-time.
• DUCATI WHEELIE CONTROL (DWC): First implemented on the incredible Ducati 1199 Superleggera, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) recognizes front-wheel lift and responds according to one of eight rider-selectable levels, allowing the throttle to be maintained open without fear of the wheelie getting out of control. This allows for maximum possible acceleration, ensuring a formidable drive out of any corner.
• DUCATI QUICK SHIFT UP / DOWN (DQS): The Ducati Quick Shift up / down (DQS) is a race-derived electronic system that manages shifting of the gearbox in both up and down directions. It allows upshifts to be made under full acceleration without using the clutch, which gains precious fractions of a second that would otherwise be wasted in closing the throttle. It also allows clutchless downshifts, as the system performs a perfectly-timed auto-blip when the foot lever is depressed, engaging the gears smoothly and allowing the rider to concentrate only on braking and corner entry.
• ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) 9.1 MP: The Bosch 9.1 MP ABS equips the 1299 Panigale/S and Panigale R as standard, and is a latest-generation system that performs combined braking with control rear wheel lift to guarantee the shortest braking distances and greatest stability in any conditions. Further, the system interfaces with the Bosch Intertial Control platform, allowing maximum braking even while the motorcycle is leaned over.
• OPTIMIZED GEOMETRY: The 1299 Panigale and 1299 Panigale S benefit from the experience of Ducati Corse, and adopt a new geometry which uses a 24° steering head angle along with a swingarm pivot point 4 mm lower compared to the previous generation of Panigale. This enhances the bike's agility, and provides better rear traction in a wide variety of conditions.
• ENGINE BRAKING CONTROL (EBC): The engine braking control (EBC) system works in combination with the slipper clutch to prevent and manage any locking of the rear wheel during aggressive downshifting. The rider can select the level of engine braking felt from one of three levels, allowing them to perfectly customize the motorcycle's feeling during deceleration and turn entry.
• DDA + GPS READY: The DDA+ GPS is the latest generation of the Ducati Data Analyzer, which integrates a GPS signal to create a "virtual finish line". The system automatically detects, without any intervention by the rider, the conclusion of the lap and stops the chronometric time. Integration with the GPS signal also provides visualization on the circuit map of the trajectories ridden and the main parameters of the vehicle: throttle opening, speed, rpm, gear engaged, engine temperature, DTC activation, and lean angle. The 1299 Panigale and 1299 Panigale S are pre-configured to accept the DDA+ GPS, while the Panigale R includes the system as standard.
• TOTAL CONTROL: Ducati's Riding Modes allow a rider to instantly vary key characteristics of the 1299 Panigale to suit different conditions or rider preferences - engine power and delivery, traction control, wheelie control, ABS, engine braking, and - exclusively on the 1299 Panigale S - suspension behavior. Three pre-set configurations, Race, Sport, and Wet, are available to be selected by using buttons mounted on the handlebar. But these are only a starting point, as each configuration can be completely customized according to the specific level of each control parameter desired by the rider. With three custom setups ready at the push of a button, the Panigale superbikes become perfectly tailored partners to the rider's unrelenting pursuit of speed.
• AUXILIARY HANDLEBAR BUTTONS: The 1299 Panigale S and Panigale R feature handlebar-mounted auxiliary control buttons, which allow the rider on-the-fly adjustment of a selected parameter among DTC, DWC, or EBC. Using these the rider can instantly fine-tune the motorcycle to changing track, road, weather, or tyre conditions without slowing down.
• LED LIGHTING: Another detail that gives the Panigale its total racing look is the twin headlamp at front designed to be an integral part of the front air scoops, with integrated LED positioning lights. The double LED lights at rear harmoniously wrap around the air vents in the seat-tail assembly and, when turned on, create an alluring effect of signalling lights enhanced by stop lights. LED technology is also been used for the front and rear turn indicators as well as the number plate light.
• BOSCH INERTIAL PLATFORM: The 1299/S Panigale and Panigale R use the Bosch Inertial Platform, which is centered around an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The IMU constantly monitors the motorcycle's lean angle and fore / aft pitch, interfacing with the ABS, DWC, and on the 1299 Panigale S, the Öhlins Smart EC suspension - ensuring that these systems operate at maximum effectiveness regardless of the motorcycle's position.
• FULL LED LIGHTING: The 1299 Panigale S shows its technologically advanced nature with a bright, efficient, and stylish full-LED front headlight, along with LED brakelight, turn signals, and number plate light.
• DUCATI TRACTION CONTROL (DTC): Ducati Traction Control (DTC) is an advanced system that monitors and maintains control over slipping of the rear tire and operates on the basis of eight different levels of intervention, each of which has been programmed to respond to a different tolerance to rear slipping. Each Riding Mode is assigned a preset level of activation, which can then be modified according to the riders' desire. Level 8 corresponds to an activation of the system with the slightest slipping, while Level 1, best used by expert riders and professionals, has a higher tolerance and thus allows a much higher amount of slip before intervening.